Making Our Voices Heard

Who would have thought that Ian and I would take the boys for some weekend fun at a protest rally? Well, a few weekends ago that's exactly what we did.

For a few years now, we've been members of a great and very active church-The Eno River Unitarian Universalist Fellowship.  We really get along with the people and have enjoyed getting involved in a community.  Ian works as a visitor host and I teach third and fourth grade Sunday school.  The boys go to their respective Sunday school classes and are learning a lot and meeting some new buddies their own age.  We even went camping with the parents group last fall.

Well, as I said, they are very active in the community.  So, when the state legislature started implementing some policies that they didn't agree with, they were some of the first to make their voices heard.  When the "Historic Thousands on Jones Street" rally was planned to protest some of these policies, our church was a big part of it.  There were several of the issues that Ian and I felt particularly strongly about so we decided we would add our voices to the crowd that was heading out for the rally. We would not be the only ones, there were predicted to be up to 50 thousand people heading out.

So, Ian and I decided what we wanted to do, but we didn't know whether we wanted to take the boys. We finally decided that it would be something that the boys could really benefit from.  What could be better than seeing people out in force standing up for what they believe in-peacefully trying to change laws.  It's what our country is based on.

That morning, we packed about a million snacks per boy and headed out.  We knew there would be thousands of people out there so we had no idea what the logistics would be.  Turns out it worked out beautifully.  We parked close by, met up with the people from our church and started marching to the state capital.  I was definitely glad that we went to make our voices heard and hopefully it will make progress to changing some of the laws in this state.

As for the kiddos, they stayed fairly happy.  For Benny, I don't know that he really figured out what all those people were doing out there, but we told Evan what was going on and I think he soaked it in a little.  Whether they remember every detail or not, they will still start to form beliefs that people should stand up for what they feel passionate about and can make a difference.

(Here we got to the capitol.)

(some of the crowds watching the scene)

(my marchers)

Everything is Awesome!

As soon as the boys saw the preview for The Lego Movie, they were super excited.  What could be better than a funny movie about Lego super heroes?  They were continuously quoting the commercials and they hadn't even seen the movie yet!  So, I got to talking with a mom of one of the other boys in Evan's class, Liam.  He was equally enthused about The Lego Movie, so we decided to make a date out of it.

We decided to check out a new lunch spot at the mall and then head down to the movie one Sunday afternoon.  We wanted to leave plenty of time, so we headed to the restaurant pretty early.  We all enjoyed our burgers, fries, and onion rings, and before we knew it we were done with lunch.  Well, turns out we were all so excited to get to the movie that we ended up finishing with about an hour to spare before we were even supposed to go in and claim seats.  So, we had some time to kill.

We threw some coins in some of the outdoor fountains and then headed inside for the biggest and best time killer at the mall-the escalators.  As long as the boys have been able to stand up they have loved to ride up and down on the escalators, so it was the perfect way to pass the time.  The boys weren't quite so sure about riding up and down with out an adult holding their hand, so occasionally they would get stuck up at the top and Ian would have to go up and ride down with them.  Sometimes they would also stand directly in front of some poor mall patron who actually just wanted to use the escalator, but fortunately, we had picked the escalators that are not that frequently used.  The kids had a great time and before we knew it, it was time for the main event.

We headed back to the theater and got in line, made sure the boys had used the restroom, and were ready to claim our seats.  Once we had our seats the movie was ready to start and boy was everyone excited.

The movie was cute, and the movie behavior was completely typical for our family.  Ben was glued to the screen and sat silently through the whole thing.  With about five minutes left he moved to my lap.  Evan on the other hand tends to get freaked out when anything bad happens in a movie or TV show-at all, and this one was no different!  So, there was lots of telling Evan to stop screaming and that it would all be okay.  In the end, he usually enjoys whatever he's watching, but he always gets very nervous while watching.

In the end, everyone liked the movie.  Evan still thought that there were some scary parts he would have rather not seen.  However, the next day, the boys and I were happily singing the theme song, "Everything is Awesome" while watching clips on the computer.  While movie dates are not as romantic as they used to be, we all had a great time!

(escalator games)

(buddies)

(ready for the show)

At Long Last...SNOW!

After much talk about flurries in TN and sledding hills in Durham Central Park, winter 2014 finally delivered and Durham got two very measurable snow falls that the boys could play in.  The first snow was supposed to begin sometime in the afternoon.  So, we were having a playdate with our friends, and the moms were clearly more anxious than the kids.  We kept checking our phones and the news and looking out the window, waiting for the snow to fall.  We were sure that it would snow once the kids had gone to bed and be melted by the time they woke up.  Flurries started around dinnertime, so Evan could watch it fall in the porch light out his window when he went to bed.  Fortunately for all of us, when we woke up the next morning, there were a couple of inches of beautiful powder covering the ground when we woke up, and of course, no school...SNOW DAY!

The second snow event was supposed to happen earlier in the day.  Since we had missed so many days already, both of the boys' schools decided to have school, and since the snow was supposed to start in earnest about the time they both get out of school, I was worried about getting stuck on the roads.  You might think that seems silly, but Ian and I both clearly remember a day in 2002 where we were stuck on the roads for several hours when the snow started before we were able to get home.  No one in NC can drive in the snow and the roads always become a mess as soon as it starts.

So, I was volunteering at Evan's school that morning, and I was watching the radar and out the window closely.  Evan was having PJ day and his winter carnival, so we were doing all sorts of snow and winter themed activities in the gym area.  I was manning the fake "snow" table where kids could dig in snow made of little plastic bits and search for things.  It was definitely a preview of things to come.  When the day was over, I hurried over to Benny's school and got him too.  When we pulled in to the driveway, the first flakes hit my windshield, and within a half an hour it was covering the ground.  We made it just in time.  The boys rushed outside, tongues out to catch the flakes, and started to watch it fall.

(radar watching-the snow is coming!)

(playing with the fake snow on PJ day)

(and so it begins!)

Ian, however, did not have it so easy.  He left work when the first flakes started to fall, and being the nice guy that he is, he stopped to get me a Valentine's present on the way home, so he got stuck.  He kept trying different routes to get home and cars were stopped dead everytime.  He made it home from work (about 10 miles) in about 3 hours, and he had it pretty good.  Lots of people in Durham were stuck on the roads for hours and they simply just left their cars and walked home.  Some of my friends walked home 9 miles!

Once the snow was on the ground, we all had to get out there and play in it in both situations.  Since we do live in Durham, we don't have the best snow gear.  So, I put the boys in lots of layers (after having them pee first, of course).  Then, we wrapped their feet in plastic bags and rubber bands and put their rain boots on top.  Then, I dug up the most waterproof pants we had, and added their coats and hats to finish it off.  They stayed pretty warm, except when Benny kept taking off his gloves to eat snow and would come back to the front door crying because his hands were so cold.  Silly Ben, keep your gloves on!

(The snow piled up!)

(dressed for success)

Evan's biggest wish was to make a snowball, but the first snow was too powdery for that or a snowman.  Finally, at the end of the second snow we had enough to have a snowball fight, and Evan loved it!  We got out both our sleds and slid down the small hills in our neighbors yard.  We also attached one of them to a jump rope and the neighbor girls had a great time dragging the boys around the cul-de-sac.  There were snow angels, snow poodles who were covered in snow despite a stylish jacket, snow play in the tree house, and even snow ice cream!  Why had I never made snow ice cream as a kid??  It was delicious!

(snow angel #1)

(snow angel #2)

I'm so glad the boys finally got their snow experience, and the grown ups had a great time playing in it as well!  Now, however, I think I'm done with the cold weather and happy to save any more snow events for next year!

(finally, a decent snow ball fight!)

(Sledding is fun!)

(Whee!)

(Ben sleds with Izzy.)

(snow ice cream ingredients)

(Evan enjoys the snow cream with Carolyn.)

A Wintery Preview

So, here in NC we have had a drought on the snow front.  When the new year rolled around, I realized that the only times that Benny had seen measurable snow were when we went skiing and when he was only 6 months old.  I already told you about our first exposure to snow in TN this winter, but we wanted more.

Thankfully, Durham Parks and Recreation had us covered.  Now, we always love a good Durham food truck rodeo, and this year, they added a sledding hill!  We were so excited!  So, we headed out a little early, and sure enough, there was a machine blowing snow into a sleddable hill and a little pile of snow next to the hill for kids to play in.  While it wasn't very much snow, it was plenty for us.  We waited in line, and since we had arrived early, our turn arrived fairly quickly.  They handed Evan a sled, and I was so impressed.  He didn't need either of us with him, he just hopped on the sled and went for it.  Then, it was Ben's turn.  He wasn't so sure, so he wanted me to go with him.  I hadn't thought of that and still had my nice new leather purse with me, but that's ok.  I hopped on with him, perched him on top of the purse, and down we went.

The hill was pretty fast, but all of us made it down slowly.  By then the line was getting really long, and I thought we were going to have to get back in it.  However, that's all my little boys needed.  They both agreed that the hill was too fast and they headed over to play in the snow pile.  In no time that pile was so crowded with lots of other Durham kiddos that were enjoying a rare chance to play in the snow.  There were snow balls flying everywhere including in Daddy's face!

While the boys were playing Ian and I each took turns heading out to the food trucks to get everyone food.  My first experience with the mac and cheese truck was pretty good while Ian sampled a banh mi sandwich.  The boys, not being quite so brave, enjoyed their hot dogs and salt and vinegar chips, their favorite.  Soon, Ian couldn't feel his feet and we were all ready to go.  So, we stopped by the cupcake stand on the way out.  Ben got a strawberry one with strawberry icing, and Evan didn't mess around and just got a little cup full of chocolate frosting which he nursed for the rest of the morning.

Little did we know our little snow experience was just a preview of the next few weeks in good ol' Durham, but more on that later!

(the sledding hill)

(making a snowball)

(ready, aim, fire!)

(what Durhamites call playing in the snow)

A Taste of Summer

This winter has been a cold one.  We're all anxiously awaiting warmer weather and all the fun that comes with it.  However, we've been able to squeeze in a little taste of summer with our swimming trips to the YMCA.  We joined last summer, and it's been so nice for Ian and I to be able to go work out.  Plus, they have great summer camps and swim lessons for the kiddos.  But the kids' favorite part is definitely he indoor pool.  A few weekends ago, we headed over so that the boys could get a little swimming in and Ian could also play a little with his new toy, a Go Pro video camera that can take pictures and videos underwater.

Everyone had a great time.  I got some laps in in the neighboring lap pool.  Ben has finally got the courage up to go down the little bear slide and enjoys that, and he's even starting to remember to close his mouth when he sticks his head underwater.  Evan loved putting his goggles on and swimming around underwater.  He's become a little fish.  Ian had a great time taking videos and pictures of our little water lovers and has decided he likes his new little toy!

(the little fish)

(swimmer selfie)

(Ben braves the slide.)

(Evan loves the water!)

A Little Half Birthday Celebration

Evan has been having a great year so far in his little half-day Kindergarten.  He really enjoys going to school everyday, and it has helped him grow and mature so much.   All of the kids are so nice to each other, and you can tell they've really worked on making the classroom a community.  I fretted about the decision of where to send him so much, so it's nice to see him have such a great year.

The class is small, only 13 kids, and it's full of kids that are all on the younger end.  Evan is not one of the younger ones at all which is rare for my summer birthday boy.  As a result of all of those young kiddos, almost every kid has a summer birthday that they don't get to celebrate during the school year.  So, Evan's teacher, Ms. Alana has created a schedule of days where kids can celebrate their half-birthdays.  This way, each kid, even the summer birthday kids get a chance to feel special.

Evan's half-birthday celebration was a couple of weeks ago.  We had several options of how to celebrate, and Evan picked the option of bringing in one of his favorite books to donate to the class.  We went to the bookstore and bought a copy of his favorite Superman book for him and brought it to class on the big day.  I had so much fun getting to visit class and read it to the kiddos.  Some of the little boys were especially into the fight scenes in the particular story I read.  

After I read the story, all of the kids sat down and made a page for Evan's birthday book.  They all had to tell something that they liked to do with Evan and draw a picture.  This was fun for me to see because I remember the birthday book that my first grade class made for me and saved it for many, many years.  Kids also each decorated a birthday card for him.  Then, they shared their page in front of the class.

Finally, Evan got to share his birthday snack.  All the kids were anxiously awaiting this part of the day.  Birthday treat sharing has changed a lot since I was in school  Now, you really have to be aware of the allergies in the class.  Since Evan's class has both a peanut allergy and a dairy allergy, our options are limited.  The teacher made a list of approved snack choices, so Evan chose the brownie bites.  I was amazed to find brownie bites that were actually approved, and the kiddos were definitely excited.  

Evan had a great day and loved being the center of attention.  Oh, and did I mention the crown??

(The birthday boy gets ready to share his book.)

(Evan's class makes his birthday book.)

(The center of attention)

Walking in the Woods

The weather this winter has been so chilly!  We've spent a lot of time looking for indoor spots where we can get our energy out.  So, when the sun actually came out on a weekend day a few weeks ago, we immediately hopped in the car and headed out for an outdoor adventure.  We decided to do some local mountain climbing, well, not really, but they do call it a mountain.

We headed to Occoneechee Mountain which is the highest point around here.  It's actually the highest point in Orange County at 876 ft.  We were feeling ambitious, so the whole family, Ripple included, headed out on the two mile loop around the mountain.

At first, everyone was moving fairly quickly through the forested trail as it climbed up the mountain.  We found several great boulders along the path, so of course, we all had to stop for a little climbing.  While Ripple's little claws had a hard time, the boys were happily clambering up the rocks.  Ian loved picking out spots for them to climb and giving them a little boost.

After we found the rocks, the path took a dip toward the river.  Now, Benny really wanted to throw sticks in the river and Ripple, of course, really wanted to just jump right in the river, but unfortuntely, the banks of the Eno were steep in that particular spot and covered with mud.  So, instead of river play, that portion of the hike was spent trying to keep everyone out of the mud.  Benny was crying because he didn't want to get his light up shoes muddy, so I guess I should have picked different footwear.

Eventually, we climbed back up out of the mud and up near the top of the mountain where there were some decent views.  At this point, Evan wanted to walk the dog and Ben wanted to be carried.  So, we grudgingly obliged.  Evan had a ball being dragged around by Rip and eventually, Ben was willing to hop down and hike on.

By the end of the hike, we were all happily tired (ok, one of us was NOT quite so happy), a little muddy, and we had definitely scratched our outdoor itch.  It made Ian and I look forward to all the great hiking we can go on once the weather gets warmer for good.

(Shadows of our little family enjoying the sun)

(little monkeys)

(Daddy and his boys)

(Everyone's trying to find the best spot.)

(a little view at the top)